Through the Psalms

Old Testament

God's Salvation is Always Near to Us, By His Grace - (Psalm 85:8-9)

Daily Praise
I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.

Reading Notes
This psalm was not only a prayer, but also served as a community lament of the people. The people had on numerous occasions become unfaithful toward the Lord and has a result God had to discipline His chosen people. This psalm is reflecting a time when the people were returning from exile and seeing first hand the damage caused by their sin and rebellion. These passages in particular give us a glimpse into the heart of God and His plan of redemption for mankind. Here the focus shifts from the congregation or community of people down to each individual. It looks at each person individually and caused the people to reflect on their personal relationship with God. In other words the people are asked to examine their hearts for God and to turn back to the Lord.

Individually the people promise to wait on God's timing and listen for the Lord to speak to them directly. Today all followers of Christ have this ability to hear God as well. The Holy Spirit who indwells us speaks to us. And just as during the time this psalm was written, we today have to be still and walk with God in order to hear Him speaking with us. And God's salvation is near to us because of what Jesus has done for us. When we place our faith in Jesus and through our faith in Him we gain salvation from God as well as inheritance in the kingdom of God. And lastly, our faith is a result of our repentance before the Lord as we turn back from our folly of rebellion against God because of our sin. And because of the Holy Spirit's work in us, we become more sensitive to sin and its effect in our lives.

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